Millennials: It is okay to say no.
Say no to college, if it’s not for you.
Say no to an internship, if it’s unpaid.
Say no to a recruiter, if they don’t see your worth.
Say no to an interview, if you really aren’t interested in the job.
Say no to the first offer, if you feel you deserve more.
Say no to the job, if it’s a lateral move.
Say no to your boss, if you can’t work late.
Say no to work, if you are on vacation.
Say no a counter offer, if you don’t want to stay at your current company.
One of the hardest things for me to learn in my career was that I had the ability to say no. I’m a people pleaser. I don’t want to let people down. I’m ambitious. I want career growth and success. I thought I had to say yes to everything. I thought I had to be agreeable to get ahead. “No” led me to self-worth. “No” led to better work-life balance. “No” led me to the amazing job I have today.
Saying no leads you to saying yes at the right time, at the right place, and to the right opportunity.
(me after saying no.)